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🇦🇺 Australia /Health & Science

Queensland Mental Health Services Face Funding Shortfall, Risk Cuts

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Queensland mental health organizations fear underfunding from the state government will lead to service cuts and longer wait times.
  • Demand for services has surged by 60% since 2022, with one organization reporting 160 people on its counseling waitlist.
  • A funding shortfall is expected due to an indexation rate that doesn't cover rising minimum wages, potentially forcing organizations to reduce offerings and impacting their ability to support those in crisis.

Mental health community organizations in Queensland are sounding the alarm over inadequate state government funding, fearing it will force service cuts and extend already lengthy wait times for vulnerable individuals.

Belinda Chelius, CEO of Eating Disorders Queensland, reported a 60% increase in demand for their services since 2022. Her organization's treatment center, which provides free support, currently has about 160 people waiting for counseling. Chelius stated that the recent Queensland budget has created a "huge shortfall" in funding, jeopardizing their ability to support families and loved ones affected by mental health challenges.

"That could mean that we would have to cut some of our offerings … it might also mean that clients will wait longer for services," Chelius said. The issue stems from the government's indexation rate for non-government organizations, set at 3.31% for the 2026-27 financial year. This rate falls short of the 4.75% increase in award minimum wages mandated by the Fair Work Commission.

That could mean that we would have to cut some of our offerings … it might also mean that clients will wait longer for services.

— Belinda CheliusChief executive of Eating Disorders Queensland, explaining the potential impact of the funding shortfall.

Tanya O'Shea, acting board chair of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, which represents over 140 organizations, warned that providers cannot continue to absorb these costs. She highlighted a Cairns provider that postponed plans to extend weekend and public holiday hours due to the insufficient indexation. "Mental health challenges, they don't take weekends off or public holidays off," O'Shea emphasized.

O'Shea believes that reduced community services will inevitably lead to more individuals presenting at emergency departments in crisis, placing further strain on hospitals. She urged the state government to utilize its mechanisms for increasing funding to address inflation and wage growth, ensuring that essential mental health support systems remain operational.

Mental health challenges, they don't take weekends off or public holidays off.

— Tanya O'SheaActing board chair of the Queensland Alliance for Mental Health, stressing the need for continuous support.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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